Brad Pautsch, KTIV's longtime sports director, has died

SIOUX CITY (KTIV) – It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of longtime KTIV Sports Director Brad Pautsch.

On Saturday, October 19th, Brad passed away at the age of 58.

Back in March 2021, Brad underwent surgery to remove a malignant tumor from his brain. And after his surgery, Brad suffered a stroke, which led to his confused speech. He endured the seven-hour procedure, five rounds of chemotherapy and stem cell treatments at the Mayo Clinic. Eventually, Brad was able to return to the sidelines and help the SportsFource team with matchday coverage.

But in August this year, Brad's wife Sally noticed that Brad's balance was off and he had fallen a few times. Still, Brad was able to travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in September to attend his eldest son Joe's wedding. Shortly thereafter, an MRI showed a new tumor in a hard-to-reach area of ​​Brad's brain. After that, Brad decided to go into hospice.

Brad is survived by his wife Sally and his three children Joseph, Mary and Reggie.

Doh you have a memory of Brad Pautsch during his many years at KTIV? If yes, you can Share your memories of Brad here.

Brad's legacy at KTIV

“When I was in high school, if someone had said, 'Hey, you could work at KTIV for 30 years and talk about sports the whole time'… I would take that deal!” Brad said during an interview in 2022.

Brad had been a sports anchor at KTIV since May 1990 and became sports director in 1996. In his many years of dedicated service, Brad won several awards at KTIV, including Best Sports Broadcasting from the Iowa Broadcast News Association in 2004, 2012 and 2013 and 1st place for Sports Reporting in 2007 from the IBNA for his series on the Crestland Cadets soccer team. In 2004, 2009 and 2010 he won the IBNA's best sport play by play.

“I knew where the gyms were in school,” Brad said in a previous interview. “I knew where the football pitches were in the city when I was there. But when I started working at a TV station, I just liked the video aspect of putting together a story and then adding the video to it.”

Brad's talents took him to the top of professional sports. From Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis in 2018 to the 2015 NFL Draft in Chicago, to see Denison native Brandon Scherff fulfill a lifelong dream. To New York City and the 2003 NBA Draft, where the Chicago Bulls drafted Kirk Hinrich from Sioux City. He even competed in the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. Brad was a torchbearer for one leg of the relay in Kansas.

“When I went to the NBA Draft, the NFL Draft and the 2018 Super Bowl, I never thought I would go to the Super Bowl,” Brad said. “Yeah, I have to pinch myself sometimes and I never thought this would happen.”

Siouxland is a better place because of Brad's life, and KTIV is a better place because of his work ethic and dedication. Brad Pautsch, the kid from Early, Iowa, who became Siouxland's sportscasting legend.

“People were very accommodating when I was here,” Brad said. “I met so many people who I consider lifelong friends: coaches, players and other broadcasters.”

“It is said, 'We will be judged by the footprints we leave behind, the courses we take and the examples we set for others to follow,'” said KTIV news anchor Matt Breen.

“This means that Brad’s spirit lives on in all the athletes he covered, the fields and stadiums he visited, and the loyal viewers he had and met,” said Kieth Bliven, KTIV’s director of operations .

“I really like what I do and it has made my life better because I enjoy going to work every day and I enjoy doing what I do,” Brad said.

Thank you, Brad, for all you have done for Siouxland during your decades of service. You will be missed very much.

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